Chapter 98 Romance

Chapter 98: Love Affairs

"I didn't actually kill the old man. I merely ensured his final journey was less painful by opting for a more conservative treatment plan, rather than the one with a mere 30% chance of extending his life by two years."

Zhan Jiayu delivered this fact at a deliberate pace, fully aware that it was potent enough for his three uncles to seize upon and cause him significant trouble.

As the son and heir to the Zhan family patriarch, his decision was entirely rational. Yet, to outsiders, his actions could easily be construed as him sending the old man to his death to expedite his own ascent to power.

"I couldn't care less what others think or say, but I genuinely didn't want him to live any longer."

Speaking of his father, the architect of the Zhan family's glory, Zhan Jiayu's face betrayed no reverence, only a sense of satisfaction concerning a dead man.

"So that's how it was."

It turned out Zhan Jiayu had simply chosen a treatment plan that didn't prolong the Zhan family patriarch's life, a far cry from the rumors spread by the system and the outside world accusing him of patricide.

Furthermore, it was perfectly understandable that Zhan Jiayu didn't want the Zhan family patriarch to live another two years. The patriarch was hardly a benevolent figure—one only needed to observe the feng shui arrangement of the old family mansion to grasp that.

"I've never once felt that my decision was flawed. Yet, my uncles relentlessly cling to this matter. My company here has only recently launched, and they've already sabotaged several of my projects behind the scenes. Do you think I should take action against them?"

Yan Zhoubai was seated in the office chair, while Zhan Jiayu stood, bending over to rest his arms on the chair's armrests, effectively enveloping Yan Zhoubai in his embrace. Tall and imposing, Zhan Jiayu loomed over Yan Zhoubai like a mountain.

"Of course! They've misunderstood you and deliberately obstructed you. If you do nothing, they'll only perceive you as an easy target!"

Yan Zhoubai was indignant, completely oblivious to the fact that he was now trapped in Zhan Jiayu's arms.

"Besides, they ambushed you in Jiang City, and you were seriously injured. Those uncles of yours clearly don't regard you as a nephew—otherwise, why would they attack you on the way to the ancestral worship ceremony?"

As he spoke, Yan Zhoubai glanced at Zhan Jiayu's abdomen.

He was seated, while Zhan Jiayu stood slightly bent in front of him. With a mere downward glance, he could see Zhan Jiayu's abdomen and the area below his waist.

The dark buckle of Zhan Jiayu's belt reflected a faint light, instantly transporting Yan Zhoubai back to the hotel in Jiang City, to the moment he bandaged Zhan Jiayu's abdominal wound.

And then, and then… Zhan Jiayu had gotten aroused…

It had been so awkward back then—why was he even bringing it up?

Yan Zhoubai lowered his head, unsure of Zhan Jiayu's expression, only feeling his own face flush with heat.

"Yes, thank you for bandaging my wound back then."

Hearing Yan Zhoubai mention it, Zhan Jiayu's lips curved into a smile as he pressed a hand to his abdomen, precisely where the injury had been.

That stab wound had been intentional, so he had exercised caution, ensuring it wasn't too deep, merely severe enough to be convincing.

Had the injury been truly grave, he wouldn't have allowed Yan Zhoubai to bandage it. Yan Zhoubai was an amateur, and a serious wound could easily become infected.

The wound had long since healed, leaving not even a trace of a scar.

Now, hearing Yan Zhoubai bring up the wound again, Zhan Jiayu almost regretted not having a small scar as a memento.

Yan Zhoubai watched as Zhan Jiayu's large hand pressed against his abdomen, his well-fitted white shirt instantly clinging to his skin. He could even discern the outline of Zhan Jiayu's abdominal muscles through the fabric.

"Um, isn't it uncomfortable bending over like that? Perhaps you should sit down."

Yan Zhoubai suddenly felt a surge of embarrassment, only then realizing how intimately close their current posture was.

"It's fine."

Despite his words, Zhan Jiayu straightened up and leaned against Yan Zhoubai's desk, creating some distance between them, though his gaze remained fixed on Yan Zhoubai.

"Is there anything I need to do?"

Feeling uneasy under the intense gaze, Yan Zhoubai changed the subject.

As if suddenly recalling Yan Zhoubai's current role as his secretary, Zhan Jiayu tapped the desk before saying, "There are a few documents you need to organize. This afternoon, I'm meeting a business partner—you'll join me."

"Okay!"

Eager to be productive, Yan Zhoubai immediately shed his awkward demeanor.

At lunchtime, Yan Zhoubai planned to eat in the employee cafeteria. Earlier that morning, while in the restroom, he had overheard others discussing how delicious the cafeteria food was today.

Unexpectedly, Zhan Jiayu wanted to take him out to eat.

"Aren't we going to the cafeteria?" Yan Zhoubai asked, puzzled.

"If I go, they'll feel awkward. And I imagine you wouldn't want your precious lunch break interrupted by your boss, would you?"

Zhan Jiayu raised an eyebrow, then grabbed his suit jacket and took Yan Zhoubai's hand, leading him out of the office.

Yan Zhoubai was too slow to react. It was only when they were outside during the busy lunch hour that he realized everyone could see Zhan Jiayu holding his hand.

But no one seemed particularly surprised. They simply greeted Zhan Jiayu and went on their way. Yan Zhoubai only remembered to pull his hand away once they were inside the elevator.

Zhan Jiayu found it amusing. "Why didn't you pull away earlier?"

"I forgot!"

Yan Zhoubai snapped at him, then retreated to a corner of the elevator like a sulking mushroom.

Zhan Jiayu thought he looked adorable—yelling once before hiding in the corner to brood. Too funny.

Yan Zhoubai remained silent as the elevator descended from the 20th floor. When the doors opened at the underground parking lot, Zhan Jiayu strode out first, and Yan Zhoubai hurried after him.

"Won't your employees misunderstand us?"

Yan Zhoubai finally voiced the question that had been bothering him throughout the elevator ride, once they were seated in the car.

"Misunderstand what?" Zhan Jiayu asked innocently while fastening his seatbelt.

"You holding my hand earlier," Yan Zhoubai said, growing impatient.

"Misunderstand? What would they misunderstand?" Zhan Jiayu started the car.

"That we're…"

Halfway through, Yan Zhoubai realized Zhan Jiayu was teasing him. Annoyed, he swatted Zhan Jiayu's arm. "You're messing with me!"

"Alright, alright," Zhan Jiayu laughed, unable to hold back. "I'll stop. I like holding your hand, and they're really not that gossipy. They're too busy with their own work to care about my romantic life."

"Are you sure they won't read too much into it?" Yan Zhoubai asked again, unconvinced.

"They won't."

Zhan Jiayu's smile lingered, though Yan Zhoubai had no idea what he was smiling about.

Yan Zhoubai completely failed to realize that his concern was about being seen by others, rather than Zhan Jiayu suddenly taking his hand.

Zhan Jiayu had noticed subtle shifts in Yan Zhoubai's attitude toward him—he was clearly becoming more reliant on him, and his tolerance for physical contact was steadily increasing.

The only thing was that Yan Zhoubai seemed to get shy very easily. Once he became shy, Zhan Jiayu's original "acceleration" plan had to be put on hold.

But that was okay. Yan Zhoubai was still young and had never been in a relationship before, so such reactions were perfectly normal.

If Yan Zhoubai truly didn't feel shy around him at all, then Zhan Jiayu would be the one who should be worried. His shyness indicated he felt something.

…

After lunch, Zhan Jiayu took Yan Zhoubai back to the office.

Yan Zhoubai had quite an appetite today and ate a bit too much. As soon as they entered the office, he collapsed onto the sofa, feeling like his stomach was bulging.

After lying down for a while, he was starting to feel better. Just as he was about to get up, he heard Zhan Jiayu say, "Just lie there and take a nap. It's break time now."

"What about you?"

Yan Zhoubai lay half-sprawled on the sofa. Although his stomach was round from the meal, his waist remained slender. The small of his back curved inward, which made his hips appear rounder.

Zhan Jiayu's gaze got stuck on certain areas, and it took him a few seconds to snap out of it before he replied, "You sleep. I'm not in the habit of napping."

As he spoke, Zhan Jiayu took a blanket from the cabinet, walked over to Yan Zhoubai, tucked it around him, and let his hand skim over the dip of Yan Zhoubai's waist.

So slender, so soft. It'd probably feel even better to hold him.

"Okay."

Yan Zhoubai responded, pulled the blanket around himself, and lay flat on the sofa again.

No napping habit? Must be a high-energy person thing. Yan Zhoubai, on the other hand, needed sleep to recharge.

Even though he hadn't done much serious work that morning, work was still tiring.

Yan Zhoubai quickly drifted off to sleep.

"You're coming to China?"

Zhan Jiayu's voice sounded somewhat shocked. To avoid disturbing Yan Zhoubai's sleep, he deliberately moved to the side and lowered his voice.

"Yeah, is that not allowed? And why are you speaking so softly? Is it a signal issue?"

On the other end of the phone was an exuberant female voice, but she wasn't speaking Chinese—she was speaking the language of Country A.

"Someone's sleeping here," Zhan Jiayu automatically switched languages as well.

"Who? Who is it? Someone can sleep beside you? Are you in a relationship?"

The woman's voice suddenly rose in pitch, making Zhan Jiayu jerk the phone away from his ear.

He also glanced over at Yan Zhoubai, as if worried that the sudden noise would wake him.

"Something like that."

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Author’s note: Here it is [sobbing]

Does anyone know what to do about a stiff neck? It’s so uncomfortable [sobbing]